Swim trainning device

ABSTRACT

A swim training device includes a connecting component, a wearing component, a fixing component and a detecting component. The connecting component connects the wearing component and the fixing component. The detecting component is located between the first end and the second end of the connecting component for detecting exercise information. The detecting component includes an input module, a processing module and an output module. The input module is for receiving and transmitting user information. The processing module includes a measuring unit and an operation unit. The measuring unit is for measuring a mechanical quantity of the connecting component and time. The operation unit is for providing the exercise information computed from the mechanical quantity, time and the user information. The output module is for the outputting exercise information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 103137495 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Oct. 29, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a swim training device, more particularly to a swim training device with a detector for detecting exercise information.

BACKGROUND

According to the research, swimming is an exercise which causes fewer injuries for exercisers than jogging, cycling and ball games. Swim increases cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength and metabolic rate of human bodies. In order to acquire the benefits mentioned above, people can swim in a certain distance. However, the watercourse length of swimming pool at home is limited by the size of the backyard and causing the inconvenience of the swim training.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,080 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,565 disclose a swim training device. The swim training device comprises a base body located at a poolside. A motor in the base body controls a roller in the base body to release a rope, and an end of the rope is fixed to the swimmer. When the swimmer swims forward in the swimming pool, the roller restricts the forward movement of the swimmer through the rope. The swim training device described above applies a weight loading to the swimmer by controlling the releasing speed of the rope, and this weight loading strengthens the swim ability of the swimmer.

China Utility Model Pub. No. 2,853,117 discloses a swim training device. The swim training device comprises a base body located at a poolside. A motor in the base body controls a roller to release a rope from an arm on the base body, and an end of the rope is fixed to a belt of the swimmer. The arm lifts the swimmer through the rope so that the swimmer would not be submerged into the water. The arm of the swim training device comprises a detector for detecting the location and speed of the belt worn by the swimmer. The swim training device described above adjusts the pulling strength of the rope based on the location and the speed of the belt for strengthening the swim ability of the swimmer.

Although the swim training devices described above help the progress of swim training in the swimming pool with shorter watercourse length, the base body with motor inside is so large that it is inconvenient for moving and carrying the swim training device. In addition, when the swim training is in progress with the swim training devices, the swimmer may generate a displacement during the training. The speed of swimming is detected by the detector according to the displacement of the swimmer in the swimming pool. Therefore, the swim training devices described above has some problems that the swim training device could not be used for a user to swim in a mini swimming pool and measure the speed of swimming of the swimmer who generating no displacement in the mini swimming pool.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a swim training device comprises a connecting component, a wearing component, a fixing component and a detecting component. The connecting component has a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other. The wearing component is connected with the first end of the connecting component. The fixing component is connected with the second end of the connecting component. The detecting component is located between the first end and the second end of the connecting component. The detecting component is for detecting at least one exercise information.

According to another embodiment, a swim training device comprises a connecting component, a wearing component, a fixing component and a detecting component. The connecting component has a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other. The wearing component is connected with the first end of the connecting component. The detecting component is for detecting at least one exercise information. The fixing component and the second end of the connecting component are connected to two ends of the detecting component which are opposite to each other, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a swim training device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a detecting component of the swim training device according to the first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of components inside the detecting component of the swim training device according to the first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a swim training device according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are schematic views of connecting components of the swim training devices according to some other embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D are schematic views of wearing components and fixing components of the swim training devices according to some other embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 2B, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a swim training device according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a detecting component of the swim training device according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2B is a schematic view of components inside the detecting component of the swim training device according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. In the first embodiment, a swim training device 10 comprises a connecting component 11, a wearing component 12, a fixing component 13 and a detecting component 14. The connecting component 11 is a rope made of polymer and has a first end 111 and a second end 112. The first end 111 and the second end 112 are opposite to each other. The wearing component 12 is a strap kit for being worn by and fixed to a swimmer 16. The wearing component 12 is connected to the first end 111 of the connecting component 11. The fixing component 13 is a strap kit for being fixed to a fixed object 15 around a poolside. The fixing component 13 is connected to the second end 112 of the connecting component 11.

In the first embodiment, the connecting component 11, the wearing component 12 and the fixing component 13 are integrally formed into a single unit. However, the disclosure is not limited to the connecting form of the connecting component, the wearing component and the fixing component. For example, the components are connected detachably with each other by buckles, hooks, straps or clasps.

The fixed object 15 is an immovable object located around the poolside. For example, the fixed object 15 is a pillar, a railing or a balustrade.

When the wearing component 12 is worn by the swimmer 16 and the fixing component 13 is fixed at the fixed object 15 around the poolside, a swim direction away from the fixed object 15 of the swimmer 16 is restricted by the connecting component 11, which means the direction along which the swimmer 16 swims is constrained. When the distance which the swimmer 16 swims reaches the maximum length of the connecting component 11, the connecting component 11 limits and stops the swimmer 16 to swim farther away from the fixed object 15. The maximum length of the connecting component 11 is adjusted according to the size of swimming pool. In this embodiment, the maximum length of the connecting component 11 can be adjusted based on the size of swimming pool, and the maximum length of the connecting component 11 is shorter than the length of the watercourse of the swimming pool.

The detecting component 14 is installed on the connecting component 11 between the first end 111 and the second end 112. The detecting component 14 is a detecting instrument capable of detecting mechanical quantities and time to obtain at least one exercise information.

In this embodiment, the detecting component 14 comprises an input module 147, a processing module 148 and an output module 149. The input module 147 comprises a button 142. For example, the button 142 is a mechanical button, a touch control button or other types of button. The button 142 is for receiving swimmer information provided by the swimmer 16 and for transmitting the swimmer information to the processing module 148. In other words, the swimmer 16 can use the button 142 to input the swimmer information, such as a height, a weight or an age of the swimmer 16, to the processing module 148.

The processing module 148 comprises a measuring unit 1481 and an operation unit 1482. The measuring unit 1481 comprises a timer and at least one mechanical quantity detector. The mechanical quantity detector is for detecting mechanical quantities, such as a magnitude of a strength (or a tensial stress) borne by the connecting component 11 or a variation of a diameter of the connecting component 11. The timer is for measuring a time such as a span of the strength applied on the connecting component 11 or a span of the training process. The operation unit 1482 is a chip with computing ability, such as integrated chip, micro chip or other types of chip with computing ability. The chip is for computing the exercise information such as maximum swimming speed, average swimming speed and calorie consumption based on the swimmer information, the mechanical quantity, the time and the data base in the chip.

The output module 149 comprises a display panel 141, an external connection device 143 and a signal transmitting device 144. The exercise information computed by the processing module is displayed on the display panel 141 to inform the swimmer 16. Furthermore, the exercise information can be output to personal computer or mobile device by the external connection device 143 or the signal transmitting device 144 so that the swimmer 16 is able to plan a training in accordance with the exercise information.

In the first embodiment, when the swimmer 16 swims away from the fixed object 15 disposed at the poolside, the length of the connecting component 11 limits and stops the swimmer 16 to swim farther away from the fixed object 15. At this moment, the detecting component 14 is configured to control the measuring unit 1481 of the processing module 148 to obtain the magnitude of the strength (i.e., the tensile stress) borne by the connecting component 11 and the span of the strength born by the connecting component 11. The operation unit 1482 of the processing module 148 uses the relation between the strength borne by the connecting component 11 and the span of the strength born by the connecting component 11 as well as an index built in the operating unit 1482 to compute the swimming speed. Then, the operation unit 1482 utilizes the strength borne by the connecting component 11 and the span of the strength born by the connecting component 11 and the swimming speed to compute together to acquire a power value. Afterwards, the operation unit 1482 computes and generates the exercise information such as, but not limited to, a maximum swim speed, an average swim speed, an exercise duration time and a total calorie consumption value.

In addition, the external connecting device 143 is a universal serial bus (USB) port, and the signal transmitting device 144 is an infrared port in the present embodiment. However, the disclosure is not limited to the type of the external connecting device and the signal transmitting device. For example, the external connecting device is a universal serial bus port, a card reader or other types of wired connection port, and the signal transmitting device is an infrared port, a WI-FI wireless connection port, a Bluetooth port or other types of wireless connection port.

In addition, the detecting component 14 further comprises a waterproof shell 145 which is made of polymer. The input module 147, the processing module 148 and the output module 149 are located within the waterproof shell 145 to prevent from damage caused by moisture. However, the disclosure is not limited to the composition of the waterproof shell. In other embodiment, the waterproof shell is made of polymer, ceramic, metal and combinations thereof.

Please refer to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a swim training device according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment in FIG. 3 is similar to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Therefore, the explanations of the same structure of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are not repeated herein again. In the second embodiment, a swim training device 20 comprises a connecting component 21, a wearing component 22, a fixing component 23 and a detecting component 24. The connecting component 21 is a rope made of polymer which has a first end 211 and a second end 212. The first end 211 and the second end 212 are opposite to each other. The wearing component 22 is a strap kit for being worn and fixed to a swimmer 36. The wearing component 32 is connected to the first end 211 of the connecting component 21. The detecting component 24 is a detecting instrument capable of detecting mechanical quantities and time to obtain at least one exercise information. The fixing component 23 is a strap kit for being fixed to a fixed object 25 around a poolside. The fixing component 23 and the second end 212 of the connecting component 21 are connected to two ends of the detecting component 24 which are opposite to each other, respectively.

The fixed object 25 is an immovable object located around the poolside. For example, the fixed object 25 is a pillar, a railing or a balustrade.

When the wearing component 22 is wore by a swimmer 26 and the fixing component 23 is fixed at the fixing object 25 around the poolside, the swimming direction away from the fixing object 25 of the swimmer 26 is restricted by the connecting component 21, which means the direction along which the swimmer 26 swims is constrained. When the distance which the swimmer 26 swims reaches the maximum length of the connecting component 21, the connecting component 21 limits and stops the swimmer 26 to swim farther away from the fixing object 25. The maximum length of the connecting component 21 is adjusted according to the size of swimming pool. In this embodiment, the maximum length of the connecting component 21 can be adjusted based on the size of swimming pool, and the maximum length of the connecting component 21 is shorter than the length of the watercourse of the swimming pool.

Please refer to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are schematic views of connecting components of the swim training devices according to some other embodiments of the disclosure. In the first embodiment in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2B, the connecting component 11 is a rope. However, the disclosure is not limited to the type of the connecting component. In one embodiment in FIG. 4A, the connecting component 11 a is an elastic strap. In another embodiment in FIG. 4B, the connecting component 11 b is a chain. In the other embodiment in FIG. 4C, the connecting component 11 c is a linkage bar assembly. The embodiments in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are similar to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Therefore, the explanations of the same structure of the first embodiment and these embodiments are not repeated here.

In addition, the connecting component 11 in the first embodiment is made of polymer. However, the disclosure is not limited to the composition of the connecting component. In other embodiment, the connecting component is made of polymer, metal, ceramic, natural fiber and combinations thereof.

In addition, the wearing component 12 and the fixing component 13 are strap kits without function of length adjustment and detach function. However, the disclosure is not limited to the type of the wearing component and the fixing component. Please refer to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D, FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D are schematic views of wearing components and fixing components of the swim training devices according to some other embodiments of the disclosure. The embodiments in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D are similar to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Therefore, the explanations of the same structure of the first embodiment and the other embodiment are not repeated here. In the embodiment in FIG. 5A, the wearing component 12 a and the fixing component 13 a are both length-adjustable strap kits. The wearing component 12 a (i.e., length-adjustable strap kit) comprises a first strap adjusting component 121 a and a first strap 122 a. The size of the first strap 122 a can be adjusted by the first strap adjusting component 121 a so that the wearing component 12 a matches with and is fixed to the trunk of the swimmer, which assures that the wearing component 12 a is not separated from the swimmer. Moreover, the fixing component 13 a (i.e., length-adjustable strap kit) comprises a second strap adjusting component 131 a and a second strap 132 a. The size of the second strap 132 a can be adjusted by the second strap adjusting component 131 a so that the fixing component 13 a matches with and is fixed to the fixing object at a poolside, which assures that the fixing component 13 a is not separated from the fixing object.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5B, the wearing component 12 b and the fixing component 13 b are both strap kits with buckles. The wearing component 12 b (i.e., strap kits with buckles) comprises a first buckle 123 b, a second buckle 124 b and a third strap 125 b. The first buckle 123 b and the second buckle 124 b are located at two ends of the third strap 125 b that are opposite to each other, respectively. The detachment and coupling of the first buckle 123 b and the second buckle 124 b selectively opens and closes the strap kit so that the swimmer is able to put on or take off the wearing component 12 b easily. The fixing component 13 b (i.e., strap kits with buckles) comprises a third buckle 133 b, a forth buckle 134 b and a forth strap 135 b. The third buckle 133 b and the forth buckle 134 b are located at two ends of the forth strap 135 b that are opposite to each other, respectively. The detachment and coupling of the third buckle 133 b and the forth buckle 134 b selectively opens and closes the strap kit so that the swimmer is able to attach or detach the fixing component 13 b to the fixing object easily.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5C, the wearing component 12 c and the fixing component 13 c are both strap kits with clasps. The wearing component 12 c (i.e., strap kits with clasp) comprises a first eye 126 c, a first clasp 127 c and a fifth strap 128 c. The first eye 126 c and the first clasp 127 c are located at two ends of the fifth strap 128 c that are opposite to each other, respectively. The detachment and coupling of the first eye 126 c and the first clasp 127 c selectively opens and closes the strap kit so that the swimmer is able to put on or take off the wearing component 12 c easily. The fixing component 13 c (i.e., strap kits with hook) comprises a second eye 136 c, a second clasp 137 c and a sixth strap 138 c. The second eye 136 c and the second clasp 137 c are located at two ends of the sixth strap 138 c that are opposite to each other, respectively. The detachment and coupling of the second eye 136 c and the second clasp 137 c selectively opens and closes the strap kit so that the swimmer is able to fix the fixing component 13 c on the fixing object easily.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5D, the wearing component 12 d and the fixing component 13 d are both strap kits with Velcro. The wearing component 12 d (i.e., strap kits with Velcro) comprises a first Velcro hook 126 d, a first Velcro loop 127 d and a seventh strap 128 d. The first Velcro hook 126 d and the first Velcro loop 127 d are located at two ends of the seventh strap 128 d that are opposite to each other, respectively. The detachment and coupling of the first Velcro hook 126 d and the first Velcro loop 127 d opens and closes the strap kit so that the swimmer is able to put on or take off the wearing component 12 d easily. The fixing component 13 d (i.e., strap kits with Velcro) comprises a second Velcro hook 136 d, a second Velcro loop 137 d and a eighth strap 138 d. The second Velcro hook 136 d and the second Velcro loop 137 d are located at two ends of the eighth strap 138 d that are opposite to each other, respectively. The detachment and coupling of the second Velcro hook 136 d and the second Velcro loop 137 d selectively opens and closes the strap kit so that the swimmer is able to fix the fixing component 13 d on the fixing object easily.

The embodiments in FIG. 5A shows the wearing component and the fixing component are both length-adjustable strap kits. The embodiments in FIG. 5B shows the wearing component and the fixing component are both strap kits with buckles. The embodiments in FIG. 5C shows the wearing component and the fixing component are both strap kits with clasps. The embodiments in FIG. 5D shows the wearing component and the fixing component are both strap kits with Velcro. However, the disclosure is not limited to the numbers and the matching of the type of the wearing component and the fixing component. For example, the matching of the wearing component and the fixing component is a length-adjustable strap kit and a strap kit with buckle, a strap kit with buckle and a strap kit with clasp, a strap kit with hook and a length-adjustable strap kit or a length-adjustable strap kit and a strap kit with Velcro.

According to the swim training device of the embodiment, the connecting component is fixed to a fixing object at the poolside through the fixing component, and the swimmer is restricted in a specific area of the swimming pool by the connecting component and the wearing component. Therefore, no displacement of the swimmer is generated with respect to the fixing object at the direction parallel to the connecting component when the distance between the swimmer and the fixing object is equal to the maximum length of the connecting component. As a result, the swimmer using the swim training device does not move relative to the fixing object when swimming in a swimming pool with a limited size.

Moreover, the swim training device of the embodiment restricts the swimmer in a limited area without using any motor to control the roller to drive the connecting component and the wearing component. Therefore, the volume of the swim training device is reduced and the swim training device is easier to carry by user.

Furthermore, the detecting component of the disclosure is for detecting the mechanical quantity of the connecting component directly and computing the swimming speed of the swimmer according to the user information and the mechanical quantity. Therefore, the swimming training device is able to measure the swimming speed of the swimmer in the swimming pool when the swimmer swims on the same spot.

In addition, the wearing component and the fixing component are detachably connected to the connecting component in some embodiments. Therefore, each of the components of the swim training device is able to be separated and stacked into a small volume of space for storage and carrying. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swim training device, comprising: a connecting component with a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other; a wearing component connected with the first end of the connecting component; a fixing component connected with the second end of the connecting component; and a detecting component located between the first end and the second end of the connecting component, and the detecting component being for detecting at least one exercise information.
 2. The swim training device of claim 1, wherein the detecting component further comprises: an input module for receiving and transmitting a swimmer information; a processing module comprising a measuring unit and an operation unit, the measuring unit being for measuring a mechanical quantity of the connecting component and a time, the operation unit being for providing the at least one exercise information computed from the swimmer information, the mechanical quantity and the time; and an output module for outputting the at least one exercise information.
 3. The swim training device of claim 2, wherein the detecting component further comprises a waterproof shell, the input module, the processing module and the output module are located in the waterproof shell, and the waterproof shell is made of polymer, ceramic, metal, or a combination thereof.
 4. The swim training device of claim 2, wherein the input module comprises at least one button, and the at least one button is mechanical button or touch control button.
 5. The swim training device of claim 2, wherein the output module comprises at least one display panel.
 6. The swim training device of claim 2, wherein the output module comprises at least one external connection device, and the at least one external connection device is a universal serial bus port or a card reader.
 7. The swim training device of claim 2, wherein the output module comprises at least one signal transmitting device, the at least one signal transmitting device is an infrared port, a WI-FI wireless connection port, or a Bluetooth port.
 8. The swim training device of claim 1, wherein the connecting component is a rope, an elastic strap, a chain or a linkage bar assembly.
 9. The swim training device of claim 1, wherein the connecting component is made of polymer, ceramic, metal, natural fiber or a combination thereof.
 10. The swim training device of claim 1, wherein the wearing component comprises at least one strap kit, the at least one strap kit is a length-adjustable strap kit, a strap kit with buckle, a strap kit with hook or a strap kit with Velcro, and the wearing component is detachably connected to the first end of the connecting component.
 11. The swim training device of claim 1, wherein the fixing component comprises at least one strap kit, the at least one strap kit is a length-adjustable strap, a strap with buckle or a strap with clasp, and the fixing component is detachably connected to the second end of the connecting component.
 12. A swim training device, comprising: a connecting component with a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other; a wearing component connected with the first end of the connecting component; a detecting component for detecting at least one exercise information; and a fixing component, the fixing component and the second end of the connecting component connected to two ends of the detecting component which are opposite to each other, respectively. 